The building, which towered over Green Park, had fallen into disrepair and the decision was taken to demolish it and build the new Northgate Centre in its place.

This week we were contacted by Esmond Black of Northallerton, who bought a commemorative bowl of the Heckmondwike and District Co-operative Society from an auction.

It was made in 1930 to mark the society's 70th birthday, meaning that this year would have been its 150th anniversary.

Esmond emailed a photograph of the bowl to the Guardian and thought readers might be interested to see it.

The Co-operative movement in Heckmondwike started when the first shop was opened in the town in 1860 by James Crabtree.

After a meeting in the Heckmondwike church school in 1859 a group of local men collected 12s which was handed to Mr Crabtree and provided the basis on which Heckmondwike Co-operative Society was founded.

A committee was formed to organise, commence and establish a Co-operative provisions and clothing store and each man donated a shilling to the cause.

In April 1860 a shop in Greenside was taken over and stocked with goods amounting to around £12.

A second shop, a butcher's, was opened seven months later and the Heckmondwike Co-operative Society expanded.

The following year saw the company grow further, when a £400 investment bought a horse and cart and saw the start of a drapery shop and boot and shoe company.

After using various rented premises in the town, the store in Northgate was built in 1869 and numerous branch shops were opened within a four mile radius.

The Co-op still retains a presence in the town with a pharmacy and travel agents.